ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Electronics & IT
Aadhaar Services Easier Now
Kolkata, November 19, 2019.
"Aadhaar Seva Kendra" at Sector-5, Bidhan Nagar, has started working. This Aadhaar Seva Kendra has capacity to facilitate 1000 residents per day.
People may visit this Kendra for Aadhaar Enrollment, Update or correction in Name, Address, Gender, Date of Birth, Mobile Number, E-mail, Photo and Biometric update i.e. update in finger prints and iris.
UIDAI has facilitated people to book an online appointment through its website from ask.uidai.gov.in. This Aadhaar Seva Kendra will remain open on all week days from morning 9.30 to evening 5.30 hours.
The new enrolment and mandatory biometric update for the children at the age of 05 and 1 5 is free and for any other correction, a nominal fee of Rs. 50/- has been fixed. Any resident may avail new enrolment, update/mandatory biometric update or correction facilities available at this Aadhaar Seva Kendra.
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Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Employment Opportunities in Rural Areas
On 1st July, 2020, after adoption of new definition of MSMEs, a new registration portal ‘Udyam Registration’ has been launched by M/o MSME and so far 2,93,226 and 32,938 classified enterprises are registered in India as Small and Medium respectively on the portal .
As per 73rd Round of NSS Report on Unincorporated Non-Agricultural Enterprises  conducted by Ministry of Statistics & PI, estimated number of MSMEs was 6.34 crore and estimated number of workers in MSME sector was 11.10 crore.
The MSME sector is an important sector of the Indian economy. The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises  implement various schemes for the growth and development of MSME sector in the country including rural areas. These includes Micro and Small Enterprises-Cluster Development Programme , Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries , Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises  and A Scheme for Promoting Innovation, Rural Industry & Entrepreneurship .
This information was given by the Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Shri Narayan Rane in a written reply to Rajya Sabha today.
Special Service and Features
Visakham Thirunal Endowment Lecture held at CTCRI
In acknowledgement of the significant and crucial role of Sree Visakham Thirunal in popularising the cultivation of cassava in Kerala, the Indian Society for Root Crops  along with ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute , Sreekariyam, Thiruvananthapuram, organized “ Sree Visakham Thirunal Endowment Lecture”. It was delivered by by Padma Shri Prof. T. Pradeep, Institute Professor,IIT Madras, The programme witha floral tribute to His Highness Sree Visakham Thirunal. Dr. G. Byju, Director, in his presidential address highlighted about the importance of natural resources for existence of life. The guest of honour Prince Adithya Varma talked about the introduction of Tapioca from Brazil on 18th century and its establishment in Kerala. He emphasised importance of protecting the environment and to get a pollution free air and water for future and urged the students develop the culture of protecting the environment. Padma Shri Prof. T. Pradeep, Institute Professor, IIT Madras, Chennai, delivered the endowment lecture on ‘affordable clean water using nanomaterials.’ He explained about developed water purification system that works without expensive filtration membranes or electricity and their successful use in community water purification system. In this mechanism to remove the poisonous Arsenic content from water utilizing nanotechnology and about the patent for ‘Amrith’ water filter, which purifies water at low cost. He also talked about the importance of developing new materials as sensors and opportunities as water quality measurement in future. The lecture was attended by the ICAR-CTCRI scientists and staffs, students from invited school. CTCRI Principal scientist Dr. T. Makesh Kumar, welcomeD the gathering and Dr. H. Kesava Kumar, Senior Scientist proposed vote of thanks.
ND
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Publications Division showcases its literary gems at the 26th DBF 2022
Government of India’s premier publishing house Publications Division is exhibiting its collection of books and journals at the 26th Delhi Book Fair, New Delhi
Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, is participating in the 26th Delhi Book Fair, the much awaited book fair of the city, being held in New Delhi from 22nd to 26th December, 2022. The fair is being organised by India Trade Promotion Organisation  in association with Federation of Indian Publishers . Publications Division is showcasing its wide collection of books and journals at the fair and offering heavy discounts of up to 90% on popular titles.
Bibliophiles will get a chance to explore books on Rashtrapati Bhawan and Prime Minister’s speeches, published exclusively by the Publications Division.
Continuing with the celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Publications Division brings its collection of books on history of Indian freedom struggle and freedom fighters, to captivate the minds of the visitors and book lovers. Publications Division has also showcased much sought after books on Indian cinema, art and culture, Indian history, eminent personalities, and children's literature.
Besides books, Division’s popular and widely circulated journals such as Yojana, Kurukshetra, Aajkal and Bal Bharti are available at the stall. Visitors can also purchase annual subscriptions of journals and Employment News/Rozgar Samachar published by the Division.
The Publications Division is exhibiting its publications at 4-03/BC, Hall No. 4, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
Ministry of Home Affairs
NDMA meets Gambian delegation; discuss Disaster Risk Reduction 
The National Disaster Management Authority  met a 25-member delegation from Gambia here today. The visit was a part of the Special Training Programme for Gambian civil servants organised by the National Centre for Good Governance, Mussoorie, from June 10 -21, 2019.
The Programme aims to integrate cross-country experiences and best practices in field administration. It is led by the Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India.
To set the tone of the interaction, NDMA made a presentation on the global trends in disasters, the institutional mechanism for Disaster Risk Reduction in India and the functioning of the Authority. This was followed by a detailed discussion on relevant issues.
Knowledge exchange and sharing of best practices is an important tool for reducing risks and empowering vulnerable communities. Discussions at the meeting would mutually benefit both the countries in their efforts towards Disaster Risk Reduction.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
To guarantee accessibility of necessary medical devices at genuine cost NPPA extends ceiling prices of Knee Implants till 14th September 2021
This will enable to save 1500 crore Rupees of the common men
To ensure accessibility of necessary medical devices to the common man at genuine cost ,drug price regulator, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority  under the Department of Pharmaceuticals ,Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers has extended ceiling prices of Knee Implants for another one year, i.e. till 14thSeptember 2021.
A notification dated 15 th September 2020 has been issued by NPPA under Drug Price Control Order ,2013 in this regard.
NPPA vide Order No. S.O. 2668, dated 16th August, 2017 for the first time fixed the ceiling price of orthopaedic knee implants for a period of one year .This was extended for further one year in 13th August 2018 and then on 15th August 2019. The above period ended on 15th August 2020 and the ceiling prices for knee implants for knee replacement system was due for review by 15-Aug-2020.
NPPA in July 2020 directed all companies manufacturing and importing primary and revision knee system to submit sales data for the period July 2018 to June 2020. In its meetings held on 6th August 2020 , NPPA after observing the data collected from 14 major companies  decided that the ceiling prices for knee implants as applicable on 15th August 2020 may be further extended up to one month up to 15th September 2020.
The matter was discussed again in the Authority Meeting held on 14th September 2020. In the meeting it was noted that fixing Ceiling Prices for Orthopaedic Knee Implants in the year 2017 had resulted in price reduction up to 69% and domestic manufacturers market share has risen by 11% over the period of two years, which is in line with the Government’s motto of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
Keeping this in view it was felt necessary that ceiling price system continue to be regulated in wider public interest. Accordingly the Authority decided to extend the existing ceiling prices for another one year  and notification dated 15th September 2020 was issued in this regard.The move has enable to save 1500 crore Rupees of the common man.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Viet Nam on Joint issue of postage stamp
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been apprised of the joint issue of a postage stamp between Department of Posts and Viet Nam Post.
Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications and Viet Nara Post mutually agreed to jointly issue Postage Stamps on India-Viet Nam: Joint Issue on the theme "Ancient Architecture". The joint stamps were released on 25-01-2018.
The Commemorative Postage Stamps on India-Viet Nam: Joint Issue depicts Sanchi Stupa of India and Pho Minh Pagoda of Viet Nam. A Memorandum of Understanding  was signed between postal administrations of India and Viet Nam for this joint issue on 18-12-2017.
Ministry of Finance
Small Finance Banks and Payment Banks to offer Atal Pension Yojana; To provide a boost to the outreach of subscribers under APY.
Atal Pension Yojana  is a Government of India's Old Age Pension Scheme being implemented through all Banks across the country as per the mandate received from the Ministry of Finance and monitored periodically at PMO. The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi had launched the Social Security Scheme on 9th May 2015 and dedicated the First Ever Guaranteed Pension Product to the people of the country.
Payments Banks and Small Finance Banks are a New Model of banks conceptualized by the Reserve Bank of India . 11 Payment Banks and 10 Small Finance Banks have received license from Reserve Bank of India to start banking operations in India. Small Finance Banks and Payment Banks are new age banks and given the strength of the bank, expertise and it reach, Small Finance Bank and Payment Bank can play a pivotal role in outreach of subscribers under APY.
To strengthen the existing channels of APY distribution, it is felt that these new Payments Banks and Small Finance Banks will provide a boost to the outreach of subscribers under APY . Participation in APY not only builds a pensioned society but also adds sustainable fee income to Banks by way of attractive incentive for mobilizing APY @ Rs 120-150 for each Account.
In order to familiarize these Small Finance Banks and Payment Banks in Atal Pension Yojana , the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority  has conducted an Orientation Meeting on 15thJanuary 2018 in New Delhi for all the Small Finance Banks and Payment Banks and discussed the implementation of Scheme in these banks. All Small Finance Bank and Payment Bank have positively responded to the initiative undertaken by PFRDA and has committed towards the greater cause of building a pensioned India as per the vision of the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.
Currently the below mentioned Small Finance Banks and Payment Banks has started banking operations:
Small Finance Banks
- Ujjivan Small Finance Bank.
- Janalakshmi Small Finance Bank.
- Equitas Small Finance Bank.
- A U Small Finance Bank.
- Capital Small Finance Bank.
- ESAF Small Finance Bank.
- Utkarsh Small Finance Bank.
- Suryoday Small Finance Bank.
- Fincare Small Finance Bank.
Payment Bank
- Paytm Payment Bank.
- Airtel Payment Bank.
- India Post Payment Bank.
- Fino Payment Bank.
As on 23rdJanuary 2018, there are more than 84 lacs subscribers registered under the APY Scheme with an asset base of more than Rs. 3,194 crore.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
CENTRALLY SPONSORED SCHEMES OF SCHOLARSHIP FOR SCs
The Department is implementing two Centrally Sponsored Schemes of Scholarship for SC students in the country, including in Jharkhand. The details of the Schemes are as under:-
 Component-I of the 'Pre-Matric Scholarships Scheme for SCs and Others' under which eligible SC students studying in classes IX and X are covered;
 Post Matric Scholarships to the Students belonging to SC for studies in India  under which eligible SC students studying at the level of class XI onwards are covered.
The details of funds released by the Department  to the State Government of Jharkhand, funds utilized by them, funds contributed by the State of Jharkhand and number of beneficiaries covered is attached as Annexure.
This information was given by Minister of state for Social Justice and Empowerment Sushri A Narayaanswamy in the Lok Sabha in a written reply today.
Ministry of Defence
Royal Australian Navy Ships and Submarine at Visakhapatnam to participate in AUSINDEX-19
Her Majesty's Australian Ships Canberra , a Landing Helicopter Dock, Newcastle and Paramatta, both frigates and Success, a Durance-class multi-product replenishment oiler along with HMAS Collins, a conventional submarine arrived Visakhapatnam to participate in the third edition of Australia – India Maritime Exercise, AUSINDEX on 02 Apr 19. The bilateral maritime exercise is aimed to strengthen mutual cooperation and enhance interoperability between the Royal Australia Navy  and Indian Navy  by providing opportunities for interaction and exchange of professional views between the personnel of the two navies.
The third edition of AUSINDEX scheduled from 02 to 14 April 19 would involve exercises in all three dimensions with focus on Anti Submarine Warfare  and shall be held in three phases. The harbour phase from 02 to 07 April at Visakhapatnam – ‘the City of Destiny’ shall witness professional interaction in the form of Subject Matter Expert Exchange  for sharing best practises, cross deck visits in addition to sporting, social and cultural engagement. Operational planning conferences towards the smooth conduct of the sea phase shall also be held during this period. The sea phase from 07 to 11 April shall be held in the Bay of Bengal. This shall be followed by a second harbour phase from 12 to 14 April during which debrief and setting up of goals for the next edition of AUSINDEX, which is likely to be hosted by Australia in 2021 – would be discussed.
During AUSINDEX-19, RAN would be represented by HMAS Canberra, an Amphibious Assault Ship; HMAS New Castle and HMAS Paramatta, both frigates; HMAS Collins, a conventional submarine and HMAS Success, a replenishment tanker. While the ships are embarked with MRH-90 and MH-60R helicopters, this year, the Australian version of P8A and ASW helicopter would also be participating. The IN would be represented by INS Ranvijay, a multi-role destroyer, INS Sahyadri, a multi-role stealth frigate, INS Kora, a missile corvette, INS Kiltan, an ASW corvette and INS Sindhukirti, a conventional submarine. In addition to embarked helicopters such as Seaking Mk 42B and Chetak, the aviation component of the IN shall include Dornier maritime patrol aircraft, Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers and P8I ASW aircraft. The sea phase of this year’s edition is being conducted under the command of Rear Admiral Suraj Berry NM, VSM, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet. The RAN maritime assets would be headed by Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead, the Commander of the Australian Fleet.
The number and variety of units participating in the bilateral exercise is the highest till date from both navies and signifies the importance attached to the exercise by both countries while the enhanced complexity is indicative of the interoperability between the two navies. The current exercise will contribute towards consolidating bonds of friendship across the seas.
AYUSH
Union Ayush Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates 25th Convocation of Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth
Union Minister for Ayush Shri Sarbananda Sonobal today inaugurated the 25th Convocation of Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth , an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Ayush, where he urged the young Vaidyas to prepare themselves to bring the traditional medicine and knowledge on the world map and take India to a new height and help the mankind. The Minister was speaking at the convocation of RAV held at New Delhi, which was presided over by the Secretary, Ministry of Ayush Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha and Vaidya Devinder Triguna.
While addressing the event, Shri Sonowal urged the young Vaidyas to prepare themselves to bring the traditional medicine and knowledge on the world map and take India to new heights and help mankind. The Minister appreciated RAV for its work in promoting Ayurveda. Appreciating the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for dedicatedly working and putting India as a global leader in Ayurveda, Shri Sonowalji said, “It is a matter of pride and honour for us the World Health Organisation  has decided to set up a Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in India.
MoS Ayush Dr. Mahendra Munjapara also addressed the convocation through video conferencing and said that the students should involve themselves in new innovations in the Ayurveda sector.
Shri Sonowal honoured Vaidya Subhash Ranade and Vaidya Tarachand Sharma with the Lifetime Achievement Award 2021-22 for their outstanding contribution to the promotion of Ayurveda. He also honoured 12 Vaidyas with Fellow of RAV .
Speaking on the Occasion Secretary Ayush said that RAV had carried out several projects which were never done in the past. He urged that those in the practice domain should voluntarily come into the teaching line as a great number of students pass out from Ayurvedic colleges every year. This will help in finding a solution to the shortage of doctors, medicines and supply chain.
Many dignitaries including Advisor Ayurveda Vaidya Manoj Nesari, Chairman NCISM Vaidya Jayant Deo Pujari and RAV Director Vaidya Anupam Srivastava, Dr Shakti Kumar Gupta Director AIIMS, Jammu also participated in the event.
Ministry of Finance
Maharashtra State Finance Audit Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General tabled in State Legislature
: Mumbai, January 3, 2023
The Finance Accounts and Appropriation Accounts of Government of Maharashtra for the year 2021-22 have been placed in the Maharashtra State Legislature on December 30, 2022. The Annual Accounts are prepared by the Principal Accountant General -I, Mumbai under the supervision of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India in accordance with requirements of the Articles 149, 150 and 151 of the Constitution of India and the Comptroller and Auditor General’s  Act, 1971.
The Finance Accounts of the Government of Maharashtra present the financial position of the State along with the details of receipts and disbursements of the Government for the year. The Appropriation Accounts present the sums expended in the year against the provisions specified in the schedules appended to the Appropriation Act.
Highlights
- Revenue Deficit: The State had a Revenue deficit of ` 16,374.32 crore against the target of maintaining a revenue surplus fixed in the Maharashtra Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2005.
- Fiscal Indicators: The State’s Fiscal Deficit of Rs. 64,301.86 crore  of ` 31,97,782 crore) is within the target of three per cent of GSDP fixed as per the Section 5.2 of Maharashtra Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2005.
- Public Debt: The total public debt has increased by more than 31 per cent from Rs. 3,67,552 crore in 2019-20 to Rs. 4,83,035 crore in 2021-22.
- Utilisation of Public Debt receipts for servicing of debt showed a decreasing trend from 207 per cent in 2018-19 to 75 per cent in 2020-21, whereas it slightly increased to 77 per cent in 2021-22.
- Liability under the National Pension System: The State Government employees recruited on or after 1 November, 2005 are covered under the National Pension System  which is a Defined Contribution Pension Scheme. In terms of the Scheme, the employee contributes 10 per cent of his/her basic pay and dearness allowance, and 14 per cent of basic pay and dearness allowance is contributed by the State Government; and the entire amount is to be transferred to the designated fund manager through the National Securities Depository Limited /Trustee Bank.
- During the year 2021-22, total contribution to Defined Contribution Pension Scheme was Rs 5,110.87 crore . The Government transferred Rs. 6,702.99 crore to the Public Account under Major Head 8342-117 Defined Contribution Pension Scheme. The Government contribution to NPS was more by Rs. 586.41 crore which resulted in the understatement of Revenue deficit and Fiscal deficit to that extent.
- Receipts and Disbursements of the Government of Maharashtra as depicted in the Finance Accounts for the year 2021-22 are given below :-
- Funds borrowed /Loans discharged: The details of funds borrowed and the Loans discharged during the year are given below :-
For Details, visit GoM Accounts 2021-22
Also Read the Finance Accounts and Appropriation Accounts of the Government of Maharashtra for the year 2021-22
Ministry of Defence
Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan takes over as Director General Border Roads
Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan took over as the 28th Director General Border Roads  on September 30, 2023. He assumed the charge following the superannuation of Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry. Prior to his appointment as the DGBR, the General Officer was holding the appointment of Commandant, College of Military Engineering, Pune.
Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun and was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers in 1987. He has participated in Operation Vijay, Operation Rakshak and Operation Parakram during his illustrious service. He has a rich experience in serving along the border areas, especially Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
The General Officer has held numerous key command and staff appointments during his career, having undergone the Defence Services Staff College, Higher Command and National Defence College courses. Among his appointments, the noteworthy ones are the Command of 58 Engineer Regiment & 416 Engineer Brigade. He has also held the appointments of Deputy Director General, Discipline and Vigilance at HQ of MoD , Commandant Bengal Engineer Group & Centre Roorkee, Chief Engineer Southern Command and ADG at Engineer-in-Chief Branch at IHQ of MoD . He has also been an instructor at the Indian Military Advisory Team, Lusaka, Zambia and Defence Services Staff College. For his distinguished service, he has been awarded with the Vishisht Seva Medal.
In his message to the BRO personnel after taking over, Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan appreciated their efforts in maintaining and constructing vital roads and allied infrastructure in some of the most challenging and inhospitable conditions. He exhorted them to consistently demonstrate unwavering dedication, resilience and professionalism in their mission to connect remote areas to enable the Armed Forces to safeguard the borders and facilitate socio-economic development of far-flung areas.
The BRO was raised on May 07, 1960 with an aim to secure India's borders by developing infrastructure in remote areas of the North and North-Eastern states. Since its raising, the BRO has constructed and dedicated to the Nation over 63,000 kms of roads, 976 bridges, six tunnels and 21 Airfields. In the last one year, it has completed a record 193 projects, at a cost of Rs 5,400 crore, across eight border States and three Union Territories.